The scope and functions of the stative extension in Swahili

This study examines the behaviour of the stative extension in Swahili. It specifically describes the co-occurrence restrictions of the stative extension, explores various meanings induced by the stative extension, determines the scope of occurrence of the stative extension, and discusses the morphological functions of the stative extension. Using data collected from online platforms, field notes, documentary review, and elicitation, the study demonstrates that besides attaching to transitive verbs, the stative extension can also attach to concrete and abstract nouns (to form denominal verbs) and to adjectives (to form deadjectival verbs). It is further shown that the stative extension is less restricted in terms of co-occurrence with other verbal extensions. It can thus co-occur with the reciprocal (to show that the subject is entering a state of being acted upon), the applicative extension (to show that the subject is passively entering a state of being acted upon for the benefit of someone or at a certain location), and the causative extension to induce the meaning ‘be able to be caused to do something’. It is generally established that the stative extension in Swahili has a wider scope of occurrence and can perform more functions than it has previously been assumed.